A restoration project at the Temple of Earth has begun in Beijing's Dongcheng District. (Photo:CRI/ben.com.cn)

    BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- A restoration project at the Temple of Earth has begun in Beijing's Dongcheng District, China Radio International reported on Monday.

    With an investment of over four million RMB, or about 500,000 US dollars, the project is due to be finished by the end of 2006. It hopes to revive the original architecture and design of the temple which is almost five centuries old.

    Like the repair work to the Temple of Heaven, the project was listed as part of Beijing's plan for the protection of cultural relics. It is part of the Governments commitment to developing tourist sites in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

    Built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty, the temple was used as a ceremonial place for the emperor to pray for his country.

(CRIENGLISH.com)